RADNOR, PA – The Cabrini swim teams closed their 2016-17 home slates today, as they welcomed the Swarthmore College Garnet to the Dixon Center Pool.  The women fell 196-66, while the men suffered a 218-35 loss.

Today also marked the program's annual Senior Day celebration. The Blue and White honored seven of its seniors, Bella Badolato, Hassan Goines, Christina Melchiorre, Chris Moore, Moira Prior, Robert Schmidt and Allie Stein.

This group has been an integral part of the recent resurgence of the Cabrini swim program, including the 2013-14 Allegheny Mountain college Conference women's championship.

Melchiorre made the most of her final Dixon Center Pool appearance, scoring a pair of wins.  The senior broke her own school record in the 500 yard freestyle with a time of 5:24.93.  She also posted a winning time of 26.07 in the 50 yard freestyle.

Fellow seniors Prior, Badolato and Stein also closed their home careers together, recording third, fourth and fifth place finishes in the 50 yard butterfly, respectively.

Freshman Lauren Finnegan added a trio of third place finishes.  The rookie finished third in the 1,000 free style (11:57.77), 100 yard freestyle (57.94) and 200 yard individual medley (2:27.19).

Junior Candace Brown notched a second place finish in the 100 yard backstroke, while freshman Ashley Moore placed third in the 50 yard breaststroke.

Goines paced the Cabrini men, finishing second in the 100 yard freestyle, posting a time of 52.68.  Junior Ryan Hagan added a second place finish in the 50 yard freestyle, reaching the wall in 23.51.

The Cavaliers will close their regular seasons next week, as they head to Bethany, WV for a tri-meet against Bethany College and Franciscan University.  The action will get underway at 11am.

As part of today's Senior Day ceremony, the Cavaliers wanted to offer their gratitude.  Their words of thanks are below.

Class of 2017 Thank You's
Bella Badolato: I would like to thank my mom and dad for their continuous love and support, my pop and poppy for being my number one fans and for always being at my meets for the last 15 years. I would also like to thank my teammates and coaches for pushing me to achieve my best.

Hassan Goines: I would like to thank my mom and dad for supporting me throughout my career and my coaches for their expertise.

Christina Melchiorre: I's like to thank my mom and dad for everything and for always being at my swim meets.  Thank you to my family, friends and teammates, Thank you to my coaches for always pushing me and helping me to reach my goals.  This one's for your mom.  Go Babygirl!

Chris Moore: I would like to thank my mom and dad for their care and support throughout the swim season. Thank you to Coach Ikeler for your support and advice and always giving me the motivation to work hard and do better every day. To my teammates, thank you for being part of the family and for always caring for and supporting each other.

Moira Prior: I would like to thank my amazing parents for helping me every step of the way and sitting back and watching me shine, even though every year you have to hear me say that I am not swimming next year. I can finally say my four year old dream of not having to swim next year is finally coming true.  Thanks for the motivation of keeping me coming back every year because I would not have had so many memories with my good friends. I want to thank my bother Tim and a huge thank you to Eric, who passed away over the summer. I would also like to thank my coaches, teammates and best friends for being there with me when I needed you most.  A special shout out to all of the seniors, especially Todd Walker who could not be with us today. Life won't be the same without you crazy kids my side every second of the day. Love you guys.

Robert Schmidt: I'd like to thank my mom, dad, sister and girlfriend for always being there for me no matter what. I'd also like to thank my teammates for giving 100% every season and my coaches for pushing me in the pool and in the classroom. It's been an amazing four years! Thanks for all of the memories.  I love all of you guys!

Allie Stein: Thank you to my parents for never being on time for meets, never knowing when I'm swimming and always asking me how many laps in the 500… Being non "swim parents" was the best thing you've ever done for me.  To Coach Ikeler and the coaching staff. You deserve an infinite amount of thank you's for all that you have done for me and this team over the last four years.  You have believed in me and convinced me that I was a "tough girl" at times when I really didn't think so.  You go above and beyond 24 hours a day, seven days a week for this team and rarely get the thanks you deserve. To the team, especially the seniors, my journey with this team would be nothing without all of you. There have been ups and downs and everything in between… but I feel luck to call this team my second family. Ohana.